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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A JoyFULLMommy is the Best Mommy

I was going to write about graceFULL today. But this morning I read this over at incourage. And this message from it kept going through my head all day. I even put it on my facebook.

Burn the "Perfect Mother List." Just do what gives you joy — a joyful mommy is the best mommy.

JoyFULL. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." John 10:10 (AMP)

What robs my life of joy?

Stressing out about macaroni and cheese thrown from booster seats. Getting frustrated about laundry that I forgot to move from the washer to the dryer.Trying to hurry up everyone and everything all of the time.Worrying about the bills, the needs, the wants.Looking at the greener grass on the other side of the fence.

What fills my life with joy?Being with my husband and kids and family and friends.Understanding who I am in Christ and living in that freedom.Learning to trust - people, God, myself.Getting a few things checked off my to-do list, but realizing that "after all tomorrow is another day..." (cue Gone With the Wind theme here)

What brings me joy in my role as mommy?
playing, reading, sand singing with my kids
being around them almost all of the time
having a livable house rather than an impeccable one
doing a load of laundry daily rather than one long day of laundry
giving up new cars and vacations for the everyday moments

I think joy is more often a struggle for me than it should be.

What does that say aboutme? My faith? My belief system? Maybe the struggle with having a joyFULL life is once again due to the comparison trap - trying to do things in my life that bring other people joy (or at least seem to from the outside), but for one reason or another do not do that for me.

I keep thinking of the puzzle pieces Bubby tries to sometimes fit in the wrong place. He can turn and push and ask for help all he wants, but until he puts the piece in the right slot, it just won't work.So it seems that the joyFULL life is understanding who you were called to be and going with it instead of trying to fit into somoene else's spot.
What do you think?

3 comments:

Agreed...I'm often in the trap of feeling like I am doing everything wrong simply because my life isn't the cookie cutter of another person's life that seems perfect from the outside. I have found myself resisting the joy that God has put right in front of me because I try to play the role of God and predetermine that I couldn't possibly be filled with joy in XYZ situation because it doesn't make sense. I have found joy in the most unlikely, by the world's standards, situations. Joy has always come when I am where God wants me instead of where I want me.

PS... loved your comment about forgetting to move a load from the washer to the dryer. I am SO guilty of that!

Walk your road of life in your own God-created, God-given, joyful shoes and you can't go wrong! Don't try to be a puzzle piece that fits into every puzzle but the one you were made for! Absolutely! :) Stop on in soon, see my latest posts! God bless!

what a beautiful reminder of what's most important and what really brings us joy--the gift of our husband, kids, friends...a clean house, clean clothes, and fancy meals aren't what the kids will remember. no, they will remember the hugs, kisses, cuddles and fun that mommy made sure to take the time for. i needed to hear this today--thank you!